Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, August 08 2009:
Solidarity Committee for Burma Democracy held the 21st anniversary of "Democracy Demand Day of Burma" on Saturday morning at the Ramsing Bhavan, Khurai Lamlong Bazaar in Imphal East district.
Speaking in the function, L.Sotinkumar, chairman of the Committee informed that the committee was formed on August 8, 1988 to bring back democracy in Burma (Myanmar), which is under the Military rule.
He said that despite the National League for Democracy (NLD) winning the 1991 parliamentary elections by 85 per cent, the Military rule suppressed democracy in the country and was refrained from entrusting power to the NLD to govern the country.
Aung San Suu Kyi, chairman of NLD is still under house arrest and she is not allowed to even meet the United Nations (UN) members, added L.Sotin Kumar.
Speaking about the prevailing democracy in Manipur, he stated that all the citizens of democratic India have the right to vote.
However, these rights have been misused and substituted by money and muscle power in the state of Manipur, he added.
"We want democracy without arms, money and muscle power", stated the chairman.
He alleged that in the recent 15 Lok Sabha elections of India, 135 candidates of Congress had been elected with the help of money and muscle power just because they were billionaires.
Manipur too does not lag behind in using such means, asserted Sotin Kumar.
Talking on the significance of revolution, L.Sotin Kumar stated that there can be no revolution without democracy.
When there is democracy then only there can be revolution and the democracy in Myanmar must be brought back, opined Sotin Kumar.
Maintaining that their demand is to entrust power to NLD for a democratic form of government in Myanmar (Burma), Ksh Shanta, secretary of Solidarity Committee stated that there would be no development in the state unless there is development in the neighbouring country.
She further appealed to all the people of Manipur to take up new steps for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar (Burma).